Leading up to the trade deadline, the Milwaukee Bucks were linked to several high-profile guards who could theoretically shake up their stagnant roster. Among the more eyebrow-raising names floated in league circles was Ja Morant, a former All-NBA talent whose value has quietly cratered amid injuries, inconsistency, and off-court baggage. However, the Bucks instead got a far cheaper name in Thomas, and they didn't even have to trade anything for him.
Both are having down years, but Thomas is way cheaper
Instead of mortgaging flexibility for Morant’s bloated contract and uncertain trajectory, the Bucks pivoted post-deadline to the buyout market, where Cam Thomas emerged as a low-cost alternative with a surprisingly similar offensive upside. It wasn’t the flashy swing fans have grown accustomed to, but it may end up being the smarter one.
Morant’s appeal is obvious. At his peak, he’s one of the league’s most explosive guards. However, the 2025-26 season has shown just how far his stock has fallen. This year, Morant is averaging 19.5 points, 8.1 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game, while shooting a career-low 41 percent from the field. Availability and efficiency have become consistent concerns.
Just as importantly, Morant is owed $42 million and $45 million over the next two years. For a Bucks team already financially committed to Giannis Antetokounmpo, Myles Turner, and the stretched contract of Damian Lillard, that price tag alone made a deal for Morant hard to swallow.
Cam Thomas was surprisingly waived by the Brooklyn Nets after a disappointing season. In 24 games, he posted 15.6 points, 3.1 assists, and 1.8 rebounds, well below the numbers that once had him labeled one of the league’s most dangerous scorers. But unlike Morant, Thomas doesn't come with a large financial commitment or a long-term one.
Thomas is a pure scorer who can create shots late in the clock and swing momentum with scoring outbursts. Those traits are valuable for a Bucks team that has too often looked predictable offensively, especially when Giannis is not on the court. At a buyout-level cost, the downside to the move is virtually nonexistent.
Morant would have required a franchise-altering bet at a time when the Bucks couldn’t afford one. Thomas, on the other hand, represents a flexible, low-risk roll of the dice, one that preserves future options while still addressing a real need. Worst-case scenario, Milwaukee moves on from him in the offseason. The best-case scenario is that they get a real contributor on the cheap.
It’s not a move that dominates headlines or was really expected. But in a season defined by disappointment, Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors, and big gambles not panning out, Milwaukee’s decision to pass on Morant and pivot to Thomas may quietly prove to be a much more responsible and practical choice.